BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY The publication for alumni and friends of Bemidji State University Winter 2009 Around the Block Professor Explores the Art of Contradiction Establishing a Foothold Grad Connects with Entertainment Industry ike Father, L LIKE Daughter Leaving a Legacy Two stalwarts of the BSU family passed away this fall, giving us reason to pause and recount their legacy. Dr. Harold Peters, a professor emeritus of biology, died on November 10 at the age of 99. Former wrestling and football coach Chet Anderson, professor emeritus of physical education, died on November 19. He was 90. They had a combined service to Bemidji State of over 50 years. Although coming from different areas of campus, coach Anderson and scientist Dr. Peters shared personal qualities that serve as standard-bearers for us today. They were passionate about their work, whether it was charting a course to conference champion- ships or conducting fieldwork to track the lifecycles and habits of insects. They inspired others – sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge, and wisdom with not only their budding charges, but also their colleagues and community members. They were com- passionate, showing a personal interest in the lives of those they coached and taught. More important than the campus facilities that bear their names are the people whose lives they shaped. Some followed in their footsteps and became coaches and professors. All have led richer lives having had them as teachers, colleagues, and friends. Their passion, inspiration, and compassion will continue to have an impact at Bemidji State University for years to come. Bemidji State University Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard, President COVER STORY (Page 8) Trudy Rautio leveraged college funds from her father into a stellar career that’s led her to the executive vice president and chief financial officer post at Twin Cities-based Carlson. CONTENTS 2 Campus Notes 5 Like Father, Like Daughter 8 Around the Block 9 Seniors to Watch 12 Establishing a Foothold 14 Alumni Halls of Fame 16 Class Notes 20 BSU Foundation Annual Report Report of Gifts . 20 Affirming Dreams . 21. Giving Levels . 22 Scholarship Pays Forward . 24 Tragedy into Triumph . 26. Life-Changing Legacy . 28 30 Calendar Vol. 24, No. 1, Winter 2009 HORIZONS is produced by the Communi- cations and Marketing Office, Alumni Asso- ciation, and BSU Foundation at Bemidji State University . It is published three times per year and distributed free to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends . Direct comments to horizons@bemidjistate .edu or 1-888-234-7794 . Editor Rose Jones Alumni Director Marla Patrias Bemidji State University Foundation Executive Director Rob Bollinger Designer Kathy Berglund Photography Director John Swartz Contributing Photographers The Johnson Group Marketing, Zach Zimny Contributing Writers Andy Bartlett, Sarah Colburn, Brad Folkestad, Al Nohner, Cindy Serratore Editorial Assistance Valerie Mason, Al Nohner, Peggy Nohner, The Johnson Group Marketing Production Assistance The Johnson Group Marketing Editorial Board: Andy Bartlett, Rob Bollinger, Joann Fredrickson, Rose Jones, Keith Marek, John “Tom” Murphy, Marla Patrias A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Bemidji State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-800-475-2001 or 218-755-3883. BSU COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING 08-228 Certified Fiber Sourcing www.sfiprogram.org ampus CNotes Study Shows Minnesotans Support Lake Cleanup Not surprisingly, Minnesotans love their lakes . They’re also willing to pay to keep those lakes pristine, according to a Bemidji State study published in November . Results of the research indicate that Minnesotans are willing to pay to restore lakes impaired by pollution . Dr . Pat Welle, professor of economics and environmental studies at BSU and the project’s principal researcher, along with Jim Hodgson, Upper Mississippi River Basin coordinator for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), conducted the study . Funds to support the research were provided by the MPCA in collaboration with the Sauk River Watershed District Sustainability and the city of Lake Shore . Coordinator Hired Conducted on the Lake Margaret-Gull Lake Watershed near Brainerd and the Sauk River Bemidji State’s newly hired sustain- Chain of Lakes between Richmond and Cold Spring, the research determined the willingness ability coordinator is no stranger to of property owners to pay for lake restoration and their preferred pollution control manage- campus or to today’s environmen- ment methods . tal issues . As Erika Bailey-Johnson A property owner’s willingness to contribute financially to lake restoration was closely related began working on her master’s in to the perceived environmental and economic benefits of lake cleanup . By identifying the eco- environmental studies, she became nomic value, as well as the environmental benefits of lake restoration, researchers hope to help active on the University’s Environ- guide policy makers looking for the best ways to reduce the impact of lake pollution and the mental Advocacy Committee, serv- cost of implementing those methods . ing as its co-chair in 2005-06 . Since Although the study indicated a willingness to financially support cleanup efforts, it also identi- 2006, she also has been an adjunct fied an equity issue among restoration supporters . instructor, teaching the People and the Environment course . She was “While survey participants indicated a willingness to help pay for cleanup of the lakes, they also named sustainibility coordinator in wanted those responsible for the degradation and the owners and lake users who benefit from August . the cleanup to pay their share as well,” Welle said . Besides her work on campus, Bai- To download a copy of the study, go to: http://www .pca .state .mn .us/publications/wq-b4-01 .pdf ley-Johnson also has been active in the Bemidji community, serv- President Signs Climate Commitment ing on the Bemidji Area Climate Change Coalition since 2006 . She Bemidji State University President Dr . Jon E . Quistgaard signed the American College and has helped the coalition organize University Presidents Climate Commitment in ceremonies at the American Indian Resource and coordinate a variety of com- Center in November . His signature added Bemidji State to a growing roster of nearly 600 col- munity events to educate and moti- leges and universities nationwide that have committed to becoming carbon neutral . vate area residents on the effects of The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment addresses global warm- global climate change . ing by garnering institutional pledges to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions . With higher edu- She is active in a number of state cation’s involvement, the goal is to accelerate research and educational efforts to re-stabilize and national environmental groups, the earth’s climate . including the Upper Midwest Asso- By signing the commitment, presidents agree to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emis- ciation for Campus Sustainability, sions over time . This involves completing an emissions inventory; setting a two-year target date the North American Association for and milestones for becoming climate neutral; taking immediate short-term action to reduce Environmental Education, and the greenhouse gas emissions; integrating sustainability into the curriculum and overall educational Minnesota Association for Environ- experience; and making the action plan, inventory, and progress reports publicly available . mental Education, where she serves on the board . Bailey-Johnson has a bachelor of arts degree in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and a master’s in environmental studies from Bemidji State . Erika Bailey-Johnson, sustainability coordinator, watches as President Jon Quistgaard signs climate commitment. 2 Bemidji State University Horizons Horizons Bemidji State University 3 Campus Notes Dunn Named Interim Dean for Arts and Science Dr . Elizabeth Dunn was named interim dean of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences . Her one-year appoint- ment began Sept . 3 . Dunn first joined the University in 1999 as an assistant professor in the Trustees Okay Going Forward on Events Center Lease history department, where she teaches early American and American intel- In November, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) lectual history . Promoted to associate system authorized Bemidji State University to continue its negotiations with the City of Bemi- professor in 2003, she earned the rank dji on a lease agreement for the proposed Bemidji Regional Events Center . of full professor in 2006 . Dunn also Under the terms of a lease agreement, Bemidji State will become the anchor tenant for the has provided departmental leadership, events center, which is scheduled to open in January 2011 . Such an agreement will make the serving as interim chair in 2003-04 events center the home of Bemidji State’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey and department chair from 2004-06 . programs . Besides her departmental roles, she The men’s ice hockey program is a member of the College Hockey America conference, while headed the Bemidji State’s Center for its women’s program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association . Professional Development from 2005- 2008 . Bemidji State University and the City of Bemidji signed a